HPV vaccines to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts: an update

Carine Dochez; Johannes J Bogers; Rita Verhelst; Helen Rees

doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.10.081

HPV vaccines to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts: an update

Vaccine. 2014 Mar 20;32(14):1595-601. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.10.081.

Authors

Carine Dochez¹, Johannes J Bogers², Rita Verhelst³, Helen Rees⁴

Affiliations

¹ Network for Education and Support in Immunisation, Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium. Electronic address: carine.dochez@uantwerpen.be.
² Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Middelheimcampus, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
³ Network for Education and Support in Immunisation, Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium; International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
⁴ Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Corner Esselen and Klein Streets, Hillbrow, 2038 Johannesburg, South Africa.

PMID: 24606637
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.10.081

Abstract

Cervical cancer is an important public health problem worldwide, and especially in developing countries. The link between cervical cancer and oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been clearly established. Furthermore, non-oncogenic HPV are responsible for the majority of genital warts. Two prophylactic HPV vaccines are available, which have the potential of considerably reducing HPV-related morbidity and mortality. Both vaccines are based on virus-like particles of the L1 capsid protein, and are highly efficacious and immunogenic if given before exposure to HPV, i.e. to adolescent girls between 9 and 13 years of age in a three-dose schedule. This review describes the immunology of natural HPV infections and the immune response evoked through vaccination. The current duration of protection is 8.4 years with the bivalent vaccine (HPV16/18) and 5 years with the quadrivalent vaccine (HPV6/11/16/18). Research is on-going to evaluate the efficacy of the current vaccines in a two-dose schedule, as compared to the recommended three-dose schedule. To increase the protection, the development and testing of a nine-valent prophylactic HPV vaccine (HPV6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58) is being undertaken. Research is also directed towards therapeutic vaccines and the development of a prophylactic L2 vaccine.

Keywords: Cervical cancer; Genital warts; HPV vaccines; New developments.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Capsid Proteins / immunology
Clinical Trials as Topic
Condylomata Acuminata / prevention & control*
Condylomata Acuminata / virology
Female
Humans
Immunization Schedule
Male
Oncogene Proteins, Viral / immunology
Papillomaviridae
Papillomavirus Infections / immunology
Papillomavirus Infections / prevention & control*
Papillomavirus Vaccines / therapeutic use*
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / prevention & control*
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / virology
Vaccination / trends

Substances

Capsid Proteins
HPV L1 protein, Human papillomavirus
Oncogene Proteins, Viral
Papillomavirus Vaccines